I just got a new Intel CPU, and the specifications say 3.5GHz but with turbo boost to 3.9GHz. What does Intel Turbo Boost do? From the description it sounds like they are saying "The road's speed limit is 100 km/hr, but if you get to that speed then the new speed limit is 140 km/hr". Why not just set the clock speed to 3.9GHz to start with? So what is Intel Turbo Boost actually doing?
Intel Turbo Boost – How It Works
clockspeedcputurbo-boost
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Latest generation Intel processors automatically under clocks your processor in order to save energy when you are not using it. Seeing "Energy Saver" listed under the monitor program is nothing to worry about.
From Intel:
Turbo Boost -
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 is activated when the Operating System (OS) requests the highest processor performance state (P0).
The maximum frequency of Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 is dependent on the number of active cores. The amount of time the processor spends in the Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 state depends on the workload and operating environment.
Speed Step -
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling very high performance while also meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load
From what I can tell and have seen, these two technologies are highly linked. Turbo Boost is a feature that has come from Speed Step (that has been available for a long time) and enabling Turbo Boost requires Speed Step to be active.
I would say that your BIOS is lying to you and it should disable the ability for Turbo Boost to be changed whilst Speed Step is disabled. From looking at some of the laptops I have on my bench, Speed Step can not even be disabled - it is a good feature that can increase the battery life quite a bit and I am not sure why you would want it disabled.
Also, if you really want to update, go to the official Dell site, type in your asset code and download the latest BIOS/EFI Updates and chipset drivers. I think the BIOS/EFI has the best chance here but, it never hurts to update the chipset drivers either.
Turbo boost is supposed to boost the CPU speed within thermal limits, if only one core is in use but the thermal limit is not met then Turbo Boost will boost the CPU speed for short periods.
By trying to load all 4 cores you are most likely surpassing the thermal limit and thus preventing it from activating.
As per Wikipedia:
The increased clock rate is limited by the processor's power, current and thermal limits, as well as the number of cores currently in use and the maximum frequency of the active cores. When workload on the processor calls for faster performance, and the processor is below its limits, the processor's clock will increase the operating frequency in regular increments as required to meet demand. Frequency increases occur in increments of 133 MHz for Nehalem microarchitecture processors and 100 MHz for Sandy Bridge microarchitecture processors. When any of the electrical or thermal limits are reached, the operating frequency automatically decreases in decrements of 133 MHz/100 MHz until the processor is again operating within its design limits.
That Wikipedia page also shows some examples of Turbo Boost functioning and as more cores are in use the boosted speed is lower.
Try running only 1 worker thread and keeping your laptop as cool as you can, then Turbo Boost should activate.
Best Answer
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.01 automatically allows processor cores to run faster than the rated operating frequency if they’re operating below power, current, and temperature specification limits. Frequency increases occur in increments of 133 MHz for Nehalem microarchitecture processors and 100 MHz for Sandy/Ivy Bridge microarchitecture processors. When any of the electrical or thermal limits are reached, the operating frequency automatically decreases in decrements of 133 MHz/100 MHz until the processor is again operating within its design limits. 3.5 Ghz in your case is the design limit at which processor can run continuously for long time given the standard cooling is working properly.
Availability and frequency upside of Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 state depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited to the following:
Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 allows the processor to operate at a power level that is higher than its TDP configuration and data sheet specified power for short durations to maximize performance.
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